Topping-machine.



E.- KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH & I. w. KILBOURNQ TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION 111,311 m 1909.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912,

17 8HEET8BHEET 1.

TOPPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED IAN. 29. mos.

Patentd Aug, 13, 1912 17 sag-Brynn 2.

tons

E. E. KILBOURN; w, 2.5mm & I. w; KILBOURN.

. TOPPING nl'AcBINE.

APPLICATION FILED ILLBQ, 1909. 1,035,601. Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

17 SEEETB SHEET 3.

Nl ENTORS,

WM 2. sm-

I Al/omqys E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH & W. KILBOURN.

TOPPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.29, 1909.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH & I. W. .KILBOURN.

TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.29. 1909.

Patented Aug 13 1912.

17 SHETS- SHEET 6 @Wsm B. E. KIIB'OURN, w E. SMITH & I. w.; KIEBO.URN.-

TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN, 29, 1909.v

Patented Aug. 13,1912.

'17 SHEETSSHEET 6,

' E. EUKLLBUHRm'W, E. SMITH & 1. W. KILBOURN.

TOPP1NG MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JALLZQ. 1909.

Patented Aug". 13, 1912.

17 SHBETSSHEET 7..

'"JLQ E. E. KILBOURN, W; E. SMITH & I. W. KILBOURN.

TOPPING MACHINE.

ABPLIGATION FILED, JAN. 29, 1909.

v A l/131v 70165 'E. 2'... KILBOURN, W.E. SMITH &*1. w. KILBOURN.

TOPPING MAGHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.29. 1909.

Patented Aug. 13,1912.

l7 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

X r Hm MNM. V

E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH & 1. W KILBQURN.

TOPPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.'29,-1909.

D r taiiuirphil E. EIKILBOURN, w. E. SMITH a; I.' W. KILBOURN.

TOPPING, MACHINE. APPLIGATION FILED JANZZQ 1909.

Patented Aug. .13, 1912,

11 sun'spksnnm 12.

E. E. KILBOURN, W. B. SMITH & I. W. KIIIBOURN.

TOPPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29v 1909.

Patented Aug. 13,- 1912.

17 SHEETSSH-EET 13.

fNVli/VTOA HlformyS E. E. KILBOURN, W. E, SMITH & I. W. KILBOUEN.

TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAILZQ. 1909.

Patnted Aug. 13,1912.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 14..

E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH & I. W. KILBOURN.

TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN.29. 1909.

' Patented A 13,1912.

17 SEE SHEIIT 15.

1 4 $2 fzVVE/VTORS E. lumotmu, W; B. SMITH & I. W. KILBOUR?N. Y

TOPPINGPMAOHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAKZQ. 1909 Patented Aug 13,1912.

[.ZVVENTORS' Alfomqyg E. E. KILBOIIRN, W.- E. SMITH & W. KILBOURN.

, TOPPING MACHINE,

v APPLICATION FILED JAILZS, 1909. 1,035,601. I Patented Aug; 13,1912.

17 SHEETSSHBET 17.

f/o may;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. KILIBOURN, \V'ILLIAM E. SMITH, AND ISAAC V7. KILBOURN, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGrNORS TO KILBOURN MANUFACTURING CORPORA- TION, OF BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY.

TOI.PING-MACHINE.

' KILBOUBN, citizens of the United States, re-

siding at- New Brunswick, in the county of MiddleSeX and State of- New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improve Inentsfin. Topping-Machines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use same when acted upon by the devices for .feedingthe web; to insure a more perfect alineinent of the wales of the fabric in approaching thepointat which it is engaged. by the transfer levers; to provide for accurately placing the stitches of the course to be run on in exact position so that the transfer levers may engage the proper stitches with the greatest possible certainty: to provide means for firmly clamping and holding the web when it is positioned as above stated during the cutting or severing of the web and thereafter until the transfer levers are engaged with the appropriate stitches of the course to be moon.

The further objects of our'invention are templated embodying our said invention and the said invention is described in the specification and more particularly pointed out in the claims. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a machine-embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the main portion of the same. F 1g. 3

I Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 29. 1909.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912. Serial No. 474.953.

Fig} is a plan view of the main frame with the parts above the same removed. Fig. is a longitudinal section of the main frame and parts beneath the same. Figs. 6. T, 8

and 9 are details of parts shown in Figs. 4

and 5. hereinafter referred to. Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section on line 10-10, Fig. 1. Fig". 11 is a similar section on line 1l11, Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a likesection on line 12-12. Fig. 11 Figs. 13 and 1% are views of details of parts shown in Fig. 12. Figs. 15 and lti are sectional views on line 1515. 16-16 Fig. 1. Figs. 17 and 18 are faceand side views of the knife depressing ring. Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional view on line x;0. Fig. 17. Fig. 20 is a face view of the knife carrying gear. Figs. 21 and 22 are views of the clutch controlling lever. Fig. 23 is a face view of the knife revolving gearing. Fig. 2% is a view looking tothe left of line 2t-2st. Fig. 1. Fig. 25 is a sectional view showing the parts approaching the point at which the stitches of the web are engaged. Fig. 26 is a sectional view of the same parts just after the transfer levers have engaged the stitches of the web. Fig. 27 is a like view of the same parts a short time thereafter. Fig. 28 shows the same parts in close proximity to the transfer ring. F 29 is a top or plan view of the transfer ring holder turned to the position in which the transfer ring is applied or removed. Figs. 30 and 31 are top and side views of the sliding barfor controlling the action of the knife. Fig. 32 is a detail of a part cooperating therewith.- Fig.33 is a sectional view of the cylinder carrying the grid and cam ring for actuating the transfer levers. Fig. 34 is a front .view of such parts. Fig. 35 shows the pressing otf fingers ccacting with the transfer levers. Figs. 36 and 37 are sectional and partial front views of the ring to which the transfer levers are pivoted. Fig. 38 shows a side andedge view of a transfer lever. Fig. 39 is a plan view ofthe tubular web inclosing and guiding casing. Fig. -jt0'is a partial sectionof thesame. Fig. 41 is a side and edge view of one of the bits or web guiding fingers. Fig. 42 is a sectional view showing the Inanner in which the Web enters and passes through the machine to the transfer levers.

Fig. .43is a diagrammatic iew showing the a plan View of the parts shown in F ig. 2 V joining endsof 'the -course of loose stitches.

' a view of the tapered body of the mandrel showing the brush and. thering with the rigid fingers. Fig. 49 is a diagrammatic View in anisometri z' perspective showing the manner in which the registering bits engage the web between the wiles and clamp the same upon the fingers of the mandrel ring. Fig. 50 is a view in elevation of the base of the transfer ring. Fig. 51 is a front elevation of a section of the Same. Fig. 52 is atransverse sectionaila view of such ring. In the making of half ho-se and other articles, a. portion or portions are knitted on a separate machine, generally on a rib ma chine. and in a web of considerable length.

-Snch web is thereafter cut up into the froper lengths and the stitches of each section are applied to the needks of a knitting machine and the remainder ofthe article knitted on the applied portion.

In knitting seamless half hose. thetops of the stockings are knitted n the form of .a tubular web. This w ade on a rib machine, is usually cut int y ections of the desired length and the stitches of one course of the ribbed section are applied to a circular knitting machine. lYhen this was first done the stitches of the t-op? were run on the needles of the machine for finishing the stocki g by the operator. At the pres cnt time tie stitches .of the web to b pplied to the machine in most cases are rst placed upon themluills or points of vaaing, commonly designated. a transfer ringi", the

.points or quills 'of the ring being equal] in number to the stitches of the leg .oft; e stocking to be knit ill'lClv equal to the number of needles of the machine upon which the stocking is to b .completed. The stitches of the top or ribbed portion of the stocking are. in most cases. placed upon the transfer ring by hand and a-s'lack course or a course of loose or longer stitchesbis knit around the web-in order to facilitate doing this.

The machine herein described and claimed is designed to do this wor; in lieu of doing it by hand, and our invention consists of improvements on an existing type of ll('ll frame, see Figs. 1, 3 and 10 with the central part of this plate a short distance above the top of the main frame.- The plate L-is provided with two upwardly extending arms Z Z. These arms are curved and the upper ends of the same extend to-the right beyond the plate L. The outer ends of the arms Z Z are provided with bosses Z Z. In these are mounted two gudgeonsupon which aring L is journaled to turn in a vertical plane. The ring. L has an interior annular recess and in t-his'recess is'movably mounted a smaller ring L see Figs. 1 and 10. This ring L is provided with two locking projections Z Z that extend outwardly through slots in the ring'L. It is also provided with the bifurcated projection Z the two arms of which embrace the eccentric or cam Z secured to one of the gudgeons upon which. the ring L is pivoted. The gudgeon is rigidly secured .in its boss and as the ring fl! is turned from one position to another the ring L is partlally turned in its recess by the eccentric and the locking projections thereby moved in the slots in the ring L.- to effect the locking of the transfer ring upon the ring L upon which it is mounted. The

exterior of the ring L is made to easily engage the interior'of the transfer ring L see Figs. 28 and 50 and is provided with a'spline or bar Z which engages a recess 1 inw'ansfer ring and holds it from turn ing. tie transfer ring being also provided with openings Z to permit the locking projections'to pass through the vonterring of the same. i

' The ring L is provided with the hub L and in this hub is mounted a part m of the mandrel. The plate L bet-ween the arms'LZ is provided with the adjustable stop L which engages the ring L when it turned to a vertical position and holds the same -in' position with the section of the mandrel m' in a horizontal plane. end of the mandrel section 222. is cut away to forniy-the reduced portion with theincliued shpulder 722. A rod or bar m forming a co tinuation of the mandrel is provided wli a correspomlingly reduced portion anda sleeve M is movablymounted upon the'sectiou m. so that when the two' shoulders are brought together and thesleeve slipped over the meeting ends of the two parts they will he firmly scrurcdto gether. A larger cylindrical body hi is secured to the other end of the'rod or bar m. The left hand end of the cylinder coup posed of the brush portion hl which i held in plat against the main body by the collar M It is deemed important to the proper op- The right or free eration' of the machine that the. niandreh portion of this part of the mandrel is. therefore. made of some light material in order that it maybe easily supported in position. The part If in this instance. made of wood and polished and terminates at the right in a bluntly tapered form. Adjacent to the brush the body M is provided with the ring mt. see Fig. 48. which has its leftend slotted to provide the rigidtingers 122 In number these tinge equal one-half of the stitches of each course of the web to be transferred and they extend beyond the left end of the wooden body and .over the brush M. The parts 171-, m and M form a mandrel over which ,the web is drawn as it passes through the machine, and this term will forconvenience be used to designate this assemblage of parts. Vhen the web introduced into the machine it is drawn over the tapered end of the mandrel and expanded to a diameter suitable for the operation of the registering bits or finges 71 hereinafter described.

The left end of the-main frame is provided with guide ways '11, see Figs. 10 and 11 in which ismonnted the sliding frame orcarriage N, see also Figs. 4, and (3. To the right hand end of this carriage is secured an upwardly extending ring shaped standard X surrounding the mandrel and in the ring of this standard is secured the transfer lever carrier 0. This lever carrier also surrounds the mandrel and is composed of the sleeve 0 secured in'the standard N and the outwardlycurving or disk shaped portion 0' having the flattened face-0 To this fiattened face is secured the ring 0 of the form best seen in Figs.v 3t and 37. The inner or central portion of this ring projects slightly beyond the main portion of the ring and is provided with the groove 0 extending entirely around the projecting portion. projecting portion of the ring 0 and the ring itself adjacent thereto are provided with the radial cuts or grooveslo one for each transfer lever.

. The number of transfer levers one of which is shown iii Fig. 38, is one-halfthe number ofstitches in a single course of the web arranged to engage each alternate stitch of the course. Each lever has the stitch engaging point 0 the trunnions 0 o and the inclined surface 0 and these levers are inserted in the'groovesi of the ring 0 with their trunnions in the groove 0 The transfer levers are heldin place by a securing ring 0 which is also provided with cuts or grooves for the levers, the part between these grooves or cut-s extending over the groove '0? and holding theltrunnions of the levers therein.

v The carriage Nag provided with guide ways 7) p in WhlCh'iS mounted a; slide P v which is provided With upright P',Lt he up per part of which forms a ring or annul-us.

The

and tlhis ring or annulus also surrounds the mane rel M. To the right side of this standard is secured a ring P and a grid p connects this ring with a hollow cylinder P which extends through and supported by the sleeve 0. The cylinder P is splined to the sleeve 0 so that the two are independently movable lengthwiw of the mandrel but are held against rotary movement in respect to each other. The cylinder P adjacent to the grid is provided with a ring p which for convenience may be termed a camring. The transfer levers extend through the spaces of the grid 9. Close to the ringP there are provided fingers p which extend inwardly beyond the members of the grid and in alinement therewith. Near the ring P the grids are provided with. a notch in which placed an endless coiled spring 12* which at the close of the transfer movement acts to quickly withdraw the levers from their fully expanded position.

To the under side of the slide P is secured the rack Q. the teeth of which mesh with the teeth ofthespur gear 1 on the shaft Q monnthd transversely of the main frame A.

This shaft may be operated by means of a crank or hand wheel secured to the shaftoutside of the frame A. The frictional engagement of the slide l. with the carriage or frame N is sutlicient to cause thetwo to move in unison when the shaft Q and gear are actuated unless the carriage X is restrained from movement."

Pivoted to the front side of the frame is a lever B best seen in Figs. 5, S and 9. Tliis projection r to engage with theuudersid of the lower member of the guide way 12 and lnnit its upward movement. The lever is normally held int-his upper position by the,

spring plunger R. The upper face of the free end of this lever is provided on its rear side with the double incline 7" and on the front side of this incline with the upwardly extending projection r having a vertical wardly through an opening in the guide way 72, see Figs. (3, T and 10. "lust for- Ward of the guide way it is provided with two screws 7), 79 in the same vertical plane as the double incline 2" of the lever l and these screws act as tappets to depress the lever by engaging such indine. I The frame his provided w th a pro ection N which engages and moves in a groove n lever on its front side is provided with the in the guide way 'n.'. ee Fig. 10, and the.

movement ofthe carriage tofthe left is 

